Belatacept

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Belatacept
Black Box Warning
Adult Indications & Dosage
Pediatric Indications & Dosage
Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Use in Specific Populations
Administration & Monitoring
Overdosage
Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
How Supplied
Images
Patient Counseling Information
Precautions with Alcohol
Brand Names
Look-Alike Names

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

Disclaimer

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Black Box Warning

WARNING: POST-TRANSPLANT LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER, OTHER MALIGNANCIES, AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
* Increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS). Recipients without immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are at a particularly increased risk; therefore, use in EBV seropositive patients only. Do not use NULOJIX in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus.
  • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)].
  • Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression.
  • Use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to an increased risk of graft loss and death.

Overview

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Adult Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients

  • NULOJIX® (belatacept) is indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. NULOJIX is to be used in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids.

Limitations of Use

  • Use NULOJIX only in patients who are EBV seropositive.
  • Use of NULOJIX for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in transplanted organs other than kidney has not been established.

Dosage

Dosage in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients

  • NULOJIX should be administered in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids. In clinical trials the median (25th-75th percentile) corticosteroid doses were tapered to approximately 15 mg (10-20 mg) per day by the first 6 weeks and remained at approximately 10 mg (5-10 mg) per day for the first 6 months post-transplant. Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience.
  • Due to an increased risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and serious CNS infections, administration of higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX is not recommended.
  • NULOJIX is for intravenous infusion only. Patients do not require premedication prior to administration of NULOJIX.
  • Dosing instructions are provided in Table 1.
  • The total infusion dose of NULOJIX should be based on the actual body weight of the patient at the time of transplantation, and should not be modified during the course of therapy, unless there is a change in body weight of greater than 10%.
  • The prescribed dose of NULOJIX must be evenly divisible by 12.5 mg in order for the dose to be prepared accurately using the reconstituted solution and the silicone-free disposable syringe provided. Evenly divisible increments are 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, and 100. For example:
  • A patient weighs 64 kg. The dose is 10 mg per kg.
  • Calculated Dose: 64 kg × 10 mg per kg = 640 mg
  • The closest doses evenly divisible by 12.5 mg below and above 640 mg are 637.5 mg and 650 mg.
  • The nearest dose to 640 mg is 637.5 mg.
  • Therefore, the actual prescribed dose for the patient should be 637.5 mg.
This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Belatacept in adult patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Belatacept in adult patients.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)

There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Belatacept in pediatric patients.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Belatacept in pediatric patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Belatacept in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Contraindications in the drug label.

Warnings

WARNING: POST-TRANSPLANT LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER, OTHER MALIGNANCIES, AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
* Increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS). Recipients without immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are at a particularly increased risk; therefore, use in EBV seropositive patients only. Do not use NULOJIX in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus.
  • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)].
  • Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression.
  • Use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to an increased risk of graft loss and death.

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder

  • NULOJIX-treated patients have an increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the CNS, compared to patients on a cyclosporine-based regimen. As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and higher than recommended doses of concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended. Physicians should consider PTLD in patients reporting new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms.

EBV Serostatus

  • The risk of PTLD was higher in EBV seronegative patients compared to EBV seropositive patients. EBV seropositive patients are defined as having evidence of acquired immunity shown by the presence of IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA).
  • Epstein-Barr virus serology should be ascertained before starting administration of NULOJIX, and only patients who are EBV seropositive should receive NULOJIX. Transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative, or with unknown serostatus, should not receive NULOJIX.

Other Risk Factors

  • Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T-cell-depleting therapy. T-cell-depleting therapies to treat acute rejection should be used cautiously. CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation.
  • Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk for PTLD compared to patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seropositive. Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX.

Management of Immunosuppression

  • Only physicians experienced in management of systemic immunosuppressant therapy in transplantation should prescribe NULOJIX. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for the maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient [see BOXED WARNING].

Other Malignancies

  • Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk of developing malignancies, in addition to PTLD, including the skin. Exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often rapidly progressive and fatal opportunistic infection of the CNS that is caused by the JC virus, a human polyoma virus. In clinical trials with NULOJIX, two cases of PML were reported in patients receiving NULOJIX at higher cumulative doses and more frequently than the recommended regimen, along with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids; one case occurred in a kidney transplant recipient and the second case occurred in a liver transplant recipient. As PML has been associated with high levels of overall immunosuppression, the recommended doses and frequency of NULOJIX and concomitant immunosuppressives, including MMF, should not be exceeded.
  • Physicians should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms. PML is usually diagnosed by brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for JC viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or brain biopsy. Consultation with a specialist (e.g., neurologist and/or infectious disease) should be considered for any suspected or confirmed cases of PML.
  • If PML is diagnosed, consideration should be given to reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppression taking into account the risk to the allograft.

Other Serious Infections

  • Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk of developing bacterial, viral (cytomegalovirus [CMV] and herpes), fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections. These infections may lead to serious, including fatal, outcomes.
  • Prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci is recommended after transplantation.

Tuberculosis

  • Tuberculosis was more frequently observed in patients receiving NULOJIX than cyclosporine in clinical trials [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1)]. Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis and tested for latent infection prior to initiating NULOJIX. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection should be initiated prior to NULOJIX use.

Polyoma Virus Nephropathy

  • In addition to cases of JC virus-associated PML [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4)], cases of polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN), mostly due to BK virus infection, have been reported. PVAN is associated with serious outcomes; including deteriorating renal function and kidney graft loss [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1)]. Patient monitoring may help detect patients at risk for PVAN. Reductions in immunosuppression should be considered for patients who develop evidence of PVAN. Physicians should also consider the risk that reduced immunosuppression represents to the functioning allograft.

Liver Transplant

  • Use of NULOJIX in liver transplant patients is not recommended [see BOXED WARNING]. In a clinical trial of liver transplant patients, use of NULOJIX regimens with more frequent administration of belatacept than any of those studied in kidney transplant, along with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids, was associated with a higher rate of graft loss and death compared to the tacrolimus control arms. In addition, two cases of PTLD involving the liver allograft (one fatal) and one fatal case of PML were observed among the 147 patients randomized to NULOJIX. The two cases of PTLD were reported among the 140 EBV seropositive patients (1.4%). The fatal case of PML was reported in a patient receiving higher than recommended doses of NULOJIX and MMF.

Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization

  • In postmarketing experience, use of NULOJIX in conjunction with basiliximab induction, MMF, and corticosteroid minimization to 5 mg per day between Day 3 and Week 6 post-transplant was associated with an increased rate and grade of acute rejection, particularly Grade III rejection. These Grade III rejections occurred in patients with 4 to 6 HLA mismatches. Graft loss was a consequence of Grade III rejection in some patients.

Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.1) and CLINICAL STUDIES (14.1)].

5.8 Immunizations The use of live vaccines should be avoided during treatment with NULOJIX, including but not limited to the following: intranasal influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, BCG, yellow fever, varicella, and TY21a typhoid vaccines.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical Trials Experience

There is limited information regarding Clinical Trial Experience of Belatacept in the drug label.

Postmarketing Experience

There is limited information regarding Postmarketing Experience of Belatacept in the drug label.

Drug Interactions

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Drug Interactions in the drug label.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category (FDA): There is no FDA guidance on usage of Belatacept in women who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):

  • Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) Pregnancy Category

There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Belatacept in women who are pregnant.

Labor and Delivery

There is no FDA guidance on use of Belatacept during labor and delivery.

Nursing Mothers

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept with respect to nursing mothers.

Pediatric Use

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept with respect to pediatric patients.

Geriatic Use

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept with respect to geriatric patients.

Gender

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept with respect to specific gender populations.

Race

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept with respect to specific racial populations.

Renal Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept in patients with hepatic impairment.

Females of Reproductive Potential and Males

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Belatacept in women of reproductive potentials and males.

Immunocompromised Patients

There is no FDA guidance one the use of Belatacept in patients who are immunocompromised.

Administration and Monitoring

Administration

  • Intravenous

Preparation and Administration Instructions

  • NULOJIX is for intravenous infusion only.
  • Caution: NULOJIX must be reconstituted/prepared using only the silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial.
  • If the silicone-free disposable syringe is dropped or becomes contaminated, use a new silicone-free disposable syringe from inventory. For information on obtaining additional silicone-free disposable syringes, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-888-NULOJIX.

Preparation for Administration

  • Calculate the number of NULOJIX vials required to provide the total infusion dose. Each vial contains 250 mg of belatacept lyophilized powder.
  • Reconstitute the contents of each vial of NULOJIX with 10.5 mL of a suitable diluent using the silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial and an 18- to 21-gauge needle. Suitable diluents include: sterile water for injection (SWFI), 0.9% sodium chloride (NS), or 5% dextrose in water (D5W).

Note: If the NULOJIX powder is accidentally reconstituted using a different syringe than the one provided, the solution may develop a few translucent particles. Discard any solutions prepared using siliconized syringes.

  • To reconstitute the NULOJIX powder, remove the flip-top from the vial and wipe the top with an alcohol swab. Insert the syringe needle into the vial through the center of the rubber stopper and direct the stream of diluent (10.5 mL of SWFI, NS, or D5W) to the glass wall of the vial.
  • To minimize foam formation, rotate the vial and invert with gentle swirling until the contents are completely dissolved. Avoid prolonged or vigorous agitation. Do not shake.
  • The reconstituted solution contains a belatacept concentration of 25 mg/mL and should be clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. Do not use if opaque particles, discoloration, or other foreign particles are present.
  • Calculate the total volume of the reconstituted 25 mg/mL NULOJIX solution required to provide the total infusion dose.

Volume of 25 mg/mL NULOJIX solution (in mL) = Prescribed Dose (in mg) ÷ 25 mg/mL

  • Prior to intravenous infusion, the required volume of the reconstituted NULOJIX solution must be further diluted with a suitable infusion fluid (NS or D5W). NULOJIX reconstituted with:
  • SWFI should be further diluted with either NS or D5W
  • NS should be further diluted with NS
  • D5W should be further diluted with D5W
  • From the appropriate size infusion bag or bottle, withdraw a volume of infusion fluid that is equal to the volume of the reconstituted NULOJIX solution required to provide the prescribed dose. With the same silicone-free disposable syringe used for reconstitution, withdraw the required amount of belatacept solution from the vial, inject it into the infusion bag or bottle, and gently rotate the infusion bag or bottle to ensure mixing.

The final belatacept concentration in the infusion bag or bottle should range from 2 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. Typically, an infusion volume of 100 mL will be appropriate for most patients and doses, but total infusion volumes ranging from 50 mL to 250 mL may be used. Any unused solution remaining in the vials must be discarded.

  • Prior to administration, the NULOJIX infusion should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration. Discard the infusion if any particulate matter or discoloration is observed.
  • The entire NULOJIX infusion should be administered over a period of 30 minutes and must be administered with an infusion set and a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low-protein-binding filter (with a pore size of 0.2-1.2 µm).
  • The reconstituted solution should be transferred from the vial to the infusion bag or bottle immediately. The NULOJIX infusion must be completed within 24 hours of reconstitution of the NULOJIX lyophilized powder. If not used immediately, the infusion solution may be stored under refrigeration conditions: 2°-8°C (36°-46°F) and protected from light for up to 24 hours (a maximum of 4 hours of the total 24 hours can be at room temperature: 20°-25°C [68°-77°F] and room light).
  • Infuse NULOJIX in a separate line from other concomitantly infused agents. NULOJIX should not be infused concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents. No physical or biochemical compatibility studies have been conducted to evaluate the coadministration of NULOJIX with other agents.

Monitoring

There is limited information regarding Monitoring of Belatacept in the drug label.

IV Compatibility

There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Belatacept in the drug label.

Overdosage

There is limited information regarding Chronic Overdose of Belatacept in the drug label.

Pharmacology

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Pharmacology in the drug label.

Mechanism of Action

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Mechanism of Action in the drug label.

Structure

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Structure in the drug label.

Pharmacodynamics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacodynamics of Belatacept in the drug label.

Pharmacokinetics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacokinetics of Belatacept in the drug label.

Nonclinical Toxicology

There is limited information regarding Nonclinical Toxicology of Belatacept in the drug label.

Clinical Studies

There is limited information regarding Clinical Studies of Belatacept in the drug label.

How Supplied

Storage

There is limited information regarding Belatacept Storage in the drug label.

Images

Drug Images

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Package and Label Display Panel

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Patient Counseling Information

There is limited information regarding Patient Counseling Information of Belatacept in the drug label.

Precautions with Alcohol

  • Alcohol-Belatacept interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

Brand Names

  • NULOJIX

Look-Alike Drug Names

Drug Shortage Status

Price

References

The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.

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